Swanee US Piano Roll Original 1919 Version Player Piano Roll

This is a piano roll from 1919, the year that Swanee became a big hit. The music is by George Gershwin and the words are by Irving Caesar. The two pianists are Mae Brown and Chet Gordon.

[@Berta6742]

Mention of Mae Brown ( Mary E Brown) brings to mind the pioneering work horse she was - a piano roll arranging pioneer this being one thank you

[@bigzach1000]

I have watched this one literally a hundred times since I found it. Gershwin was just such a master of melody. The way that "Old Folks at Home" is woven into the composition and the playing on this roll are amazing.

[@autopiano]

There's a lovely interview with Mae Brown in a 1919 'Music Trade Review', and this roll is specifically mentioned as probably her 'best latest work' or words to that effect - singling out her quotes of Humoresque as a typical example of her brilliance.

[@derekmyers3258]

I've always loved player pianos. My grandmother had a Wurlitzer that only worked until I was about 3-4 years old, and then laid dormant the rest of my life, except for me playing it manually. Incidentally, that's the piano I learned on, and I became quite good. But I love seeing the comments of all these aficionados, because I do not possess this knowledge. My areas of expertise as far as music reproduction are phonographs and other old audio equipment. Your vast knowledge is appreciated by me, as I sit here in awe of your passion for these beautiful pianos. Please continue to encourage young people to take up this great hobby, as these wonderful works of art need to be preserved for all time. Thank you for uploading these amazing videos.

[@bigzach1000]

Hey, thank you for putting these up! And adding the history bits is very important. Primo!

[@Billy_McBigballs]

The grunt in the beginning was the best part

[@AeolianHall1]

I have probably played my roll a hundred times. This roll is an example of a great song and a great piano presentation. I have some other Mae Brown rolls on my channel. She was a genius. I am going to put on KZbin my Ampico version of Swanee. The two pianist are Herbert Clair and Muriel Pollock, and their version is a little different but every bit as wonderful.

[@donaldfwilkinson6948]

Aeolian Hall p

[@georgestrum3478]

Thanks for this posting. It makes the unaffordable player piano affordable to me.

[@derekmyers3258]

Yes indeed. I find I am just as satisfied enjoying it this way as in person.

[@680stp]

makes me want to go out and buy a player piano and rolls!

[@AeolianHall1]

The Ampico version of Swanee that I am going to put on KZbin, is one of my two favorites, and that Ampico roll is based on George's piano roll for The Aeolian Company. More info when I write up the words to be put on with the Ampico version.

[@iamtheralwus]

Is this even possible for one person to play? Anyway, such an amazing melody, especially the 'swanee, how I love you, how I love you!...' part.

[@sunholme213]

Why does "Swanee" show up on the roll as "NWAN-KK" ?

[@joshconeby]

It is SWAN-EE, it's just stenciled in a weird font for ease of use in the factory. The S is drawn through three separate holes and the E's are also done through three separate holes each.

[@AeolianHall1]

I am a player technician, and if you have any questions about your valve adjustments or related subjects, I am happy to try to help.

[@AeolianHall1]

Dear Josh: Can you tell me what note it is? This is one of the earlier things I put on YT, and since then I have been using an electronic tuner, and I will put on a better version.

[@kurdtkobayne]

If its not too much trouble could you put the lyrics in the description. Thanks for this awesome rolls. Saludos desde Colombia.

[@stickerino]

The lyrics are literally on the roll itself. Look with your eyes, not your mouth.

[@MrCrowebobby]

Just Goggle "Swanee lyrics".

[@noahhatfield6954]

Is there sheet music for this arrangement?

[@spaceseal2268]

it might be a bit hard to play that with just 2 hands

[@williamnicholls2332]

pianola Noah Hatfield